Section 17 leave

This information has been designed by LPFT Carers Council to assist carers and relatives to understand section 17 leave. 

What is Section 17 leave? 

When your loved one is in hospital, they can be granted time away from the hospital.  This is an important activity to prepare both them and you for their discharge.

Their doctor (who may be referred to as their Responsible Clinician or RC) will work with everyone involved in their care.  This will include the ward staff to plan their Section 17 leave.

Planning Section 17 leave is usually done in ward rounds or in Care Programme Approach meetings.  This enables everyone in the care team, including relatives and carers to be involved.

When your loved one returns to the ward following their leave, the doctor in charge and other people involved with their care will ask how the leave went.  They will be asking for perspective as a Carer as well as asking the patient for their opinion.  They will want to talk about areas of success and any concerns.